Enrico Fermi September 29th, 1901 - November 28th, 1954
Early on, Enrico Fermi was an intelligent man, born in Rome he was talented in math and physics
from a young age. After getting his doctors degree and studying with many brilliant individuals
he began to branch out and make discoveries in statistical laws. Then, with growing interest in
the science community about neutrons and nuclear physics, Fermi began focusing his
interests on the nuclei of atoms
"The Nobel Prize in Physics 1938 was awarded to Enrico Fermi 'for his demonstrations of the existence of new radioactive elements produced by neutron irradiation, and for his related discovery of nuclear reactions brought about by slow neutrons'."
His biggest accomplishments came after the receiving of the nobel prize, and his emigrating to America. Arguably his true calling was in the field of nuclear fission, discovered in 1939. He conducted experiments in Chicago, where he achieved the first self sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Fun fact: When building the first nuclear reactor, 'SCRAM' officials were 'Safety Cut Rope Axe Men' essentially axe wielding men used for emergency stop, the term SCRAM is still used for circuit breakers of current nuclear reactions He then began work on the Manhattan Project, which eventually lead to the creation of nuclear weapons.
Towards the end of his life he was a professor and lecturer, always in high demand, he expanded his studies to many other fields before his untimely death at the age of 53. He has been honored by the Enrico Fermi Award, given to an excellent scientist or engineer each year, along with an honorarium of $375,000. There is also a high school named in his honor, along with many scientific names and laws inspired by or named after him.
from a young age. After getting his doctors degree and studying with many brilliant individuals
he began to branch out and make discoveries in statistical laws. Then, with growing interest in
the science community about neutrons and nuclear physics, Fermi began focusing his
interests on the nuclei of atoms
"The Nobel Prize in Physics 1938 was awarded to Enrico Fermi 'for his demonstrations of the existence
of new radioactive elements produced by neutron irradiation, and for his related discovery of nuclear
reactions brought about by slow neutrons'."
His biggest accomplishments came after the receiving of the nobel prize, and his emigrating to America. Arguably his true calling was in the field of nuclear fission, discovered in 1939. He conducted experiments in Chicago, where he achieved the first self sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Fun fact: When building the first nuclear reactor, 'SCRAM' officials were 'Safety Cut Rope Axe Men' essentially axe wielding men used for emergency stop, the term SCRAM is still used for circuit breakers of current nuclear reactions He then began work on the Manhattan Project, which eventually lead to the creation of nuclear weapons.
Towards the end of his life he was a professor and lecturer, always in high demand, he expanded his studies to many other fields before his untimely death at the age of 53. He has been honored by the Enrico Fermi Award, given to an excellent scientist or engineer each year, along with an honorarium of $375,000. There is also a high school named in his honor, along with many scientific names and laws inspired by or named after him.
Bibliography
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1938/fermi-bio.html
http://www1.umn.edu/ships/modules/phys/uranium/fermi.jpg
http://history.fnal.gov/fnal_wh/1986_fermi_award.jpg
http://fermi83.onekid.net/images/New_Fermi_color_sign2.jpg
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1938/
http://www.fnal.gov/pub/about/whatis/enricofermi.html
http://catb.org/jargon/html/S/scram-switch.html